Merchandise Designer (United States)

About Kenna

Kenna® is an enterprise-grade merchandise, technology, and operations partner for the world's most recognized brands. We build iconic merchandise experiences by connecting culture, innovation, and collaboration with e-commerce, digital enablement, data intelligence, and operational infrastructure on a global scale. The best products don’t just represent a brand — they become a platform for storytelling, engagement, acquisition, revenue, and loyalty.

Every detail matters.

Summary

We are looking for a talented, trend-focused, and strategic Merchandise Designer to join our Creative & Product Development team. In this role, you will be responsible for designing and developing innovative products and collections that serve various enterprise brand programs. You will work closely with clients, account leads, production, and sourcing partners to bring launch merchandise initiatives that are thoughtfully branded, forward-thinking, and creatively exploratory.

Responsibilities

• End-to-end product design for enterprise merchandise programs, from initial ideation and mood boarding through final production-ready artwork.
• Build cohesive collections across multiple product categories — apparel, hard goods, accessories, and packaging using a consistent design language.
• Partner with clients and internal teams to translate brand guidelines, seasonal themes, and campaign briefs into compelling merchandise concepts.
• Develop detailed design decks, presentation materials, and product specs that communicate vision clearly to both clients and partners.
• Collaborate with sourcing and product development teams to evaluate materials, decoration techniques, and suppliers for feasibility.
• Maintain and evolve Kenna’s internal design standards across client programs.
• Stay current on merchandise trends, retail aesthetics, viral moments, and other enterprise programs to inform design direction and bring fresh ideas to client briefs.
• Support the development of seasonal product roadmaps and product line extensions for long-term enterprise accounts.

Requirements

• 3-6 years of experience in merchandise design, product development, or branded goods — preferably within an agency, brand, or creative studio environment.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator & Photoshop) is required. 
• Demonstrated ability to design across multiple product categories including apparel, hard goods, and accessories.
• Strong understanding of decoration techniques (embroidery, screen print, laser engrave, sublimation, etc.) and how they affect design execution.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple programs and deadlines without sacrificing quality.
• Excellent visual communication skills — you can present ideas with clarity, context, and conviction.
• Experience designing for recognizable enterprise or consumer brands is strongly preferred.

Nice to Have

• Experience building detailed tech packs and working directly with domestic and overseas manufacturing partners.
• Understanding of emerging AI technologies to render, present, or enhance your creative process.